The Carolina Panthers are looking for another quarterback.
Injuries are all part of NFL life at this stage of the summer. Bodies become weary and the increasing intensity at training camp leads to complications. Navigating this effectively and reacting swiftly to changing situations is essential.
The Carolina Panthers have gone through their fair share of health problems in recent seasons. Nothing major has emerged this offseason aside from Jonathon Brooks and D.J. Wonnum’s ongoing recoveries from long-term complications. That all changed heading into Fan Fest when the team revealed Andy Dalton would miss some time with a quad complication.
According to reports, Dalton is expected to be out of action for two weeks. The Panthers are thin on the ground at quarterback with only Bryce Young and Jake Plummer on the squad currently. Expect general manager Dan Morgan to find another body quickly – perhaps even in time for Carolina’s next camp practice on Saturday.
With this in mind, here are five quarterbacks the Panthers could potentially sign after Dalton’s injury revelation.
Quarterbacks the Carolina Panthers could sign after Andy Dalton’s injury
Carolina Panthers could sign Cam Newton
Let’s get the elephant in the room out of the way early.
As soon as news of Andy Dalton’s injury became public knowledge, fans on social media began yet another campaign for the Carolina Panthers to sign Cam Newton for a third time. Although his legacy with the organization cannot be disputed, this won’t be happening.
Newton hasn’t formally announced his retirement as yet, but he’s been out of the league since 2021 after a whirlwind return to the Panthers. He’s currently embarking on the next stage of his career as a blossoming media personality. Coming back to Carolina for nothing more than a stop-gap role is insulting, in all honesty.
Dan Morgan wouldn’t ask a team legend to fill such a role. He respects those who laid than fabric of the organization’s culture far more than previous regimes. Newton can offer encouragement and advice to Bryce Young without being part of the team. He’s already done that this offseason.
It’s a sign of the esteem in which Newton is held that fans want him back almost any time they suffer quarterback hardship. But that ship sailed long ago.
Carolina Panthers could sign Kellen Mond
Kellen Mond was selected to be Kirk Cousins’ heir apparent with the Minnesota Vikings at No. 66 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. It was clear from very early on that the signal-caller was never going to reach the required standard and he was swiftly released after just one season with the franchise.
Mond’s bounced around the league on practice squads ever since without seeing an NFL field in a competitive setting. He was most recently with the New Orleans Saints but got his marching orders in May. This left his career prospects on the brink of no return, but the Carolina Panthers could take this opportunity to bring the Texas A&M product into the fold and see what he can offer.
Nobody should expect anything jaw-dropping from Mond. But with Andy Dalton on the shelf, beggars can’t be choosers with just Bryce Young and Jake Plummer as the team’s quarterback options right now.
The Panthers don’t have many legitimate options available. Mond is just looking for an opportunity, so this seems like a viable scenario at this late stage of the offseason with options extremely limited.
Carolina Panthers could sign Trevor Siemian
The Panthers need a camp body and nothing more. Options are thin on the ground with teams around the league still boasting 90-man rosters, but a few intriguing options remain available who could potentially fill in for a few weeks while Andy Dalton recovers.
Trevor Siemian is one strong possibility. The former seventh-round selection has a lot of similar traits to Dalton, although far less prolific throughout his career. He got a chance to establish himself with the New York Jets last season when Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles and Zach Wilson fluffed his lines once again. Unfortunately, his production was subpar at best.
Siemian suited up five times, starting three games. He completed 56.2 percent of his passes for 724 yards, two touchdowns, and four interceptions. This resulted in a 62.1 passer rating and a lowly 14.4 QBR. It came as no surprise to see the Jets move on swiftly from this particular experiment.
Carolina is in no position to be picky and the quality on the market isn’t exactly stellar. However, Siemian is affordable and experienced. That’s exactly what the Panthers need until Dalton gets back to full health.
Carolina Panthers could sign Ryan Tannehill
If the Carolina Panthers want to go bolder with their next quarterback acquisition, Ryan Tannehill is the biggest name on the market. The veteran’s fall from grace was steep once the Tennessee Titans penned him to a lucrative contract extension. He was benched for rookie Will Levis last season and became a salary-cap casualty once the campaign concluded.
Tannehill has some nice traits to call upon, but getting flustered under pressure became a constant source of frustration during his final days in Tennessee. He remains out of work as a result, so any route back into the league is welcome at this late stage of the preparation period.
There is a stumbling block attached. Tannehill is the most high-profile veteran available. His contract demands might be something the Panthers can’t match, as crazy as that sounds. The former Texas A&M star could also wait around for another injury to occur elsewhere – something that can potentially give him a chance to be a No. 2 or even start in the right situation.
Carolina won’t offer anything like that with Bryce Young under center and Andy Dalton only missing a couple of weeks. This seems like a non-starter when one factors everything into the equation.
Carolina Panthers could sign Blaine Gabbert
It seems a long time ago when Blaine Gabbert was competing with Cam Newton to be the No. 1 overall selection in the 2011 NFL Draft. That seems a little silly in hindsight. Thankfully, the Panthers made the correct call with the Heisman Trophy winner out of Auburn – something that led to one of the most exciting periods in franchise history during the mid-2010s.
Gabbert never reached the heights expected of a No. 10 overall pick, but he’s stayed around the league in a backup capacity for more than a decade. If the Panthers are looking for an experienced stop-gap while Andy Dalton gets back to full health, this isn’t a bad option.
Nobody would be expecting miracles from Gabbert, nor should they. The former Missouri star is well past the peak of his powers, but he’s gained plenty of experience slotting in somewhere new quickly. That’s all the Panthers are looking for to keep things ticking over in the quarterback room until Dalton is ready to resume football activities.
